This Week at The Crest!

Three Academy Award Winners and Two Nominees

All Shows only $3!
NE 165th and Fifth Ave NE
Shoreline

How Lucky are we to have this wonderful resource in Shoreline?

• CREST CINEMA CENTER
  (206) 781-5755
• 127 Hours  
  2:30 4:45 7:30 9:35
  Dolby Stereo
• Yogi Bear  
  1:45 6:45
  Dolby Stereo
• The Fighter  
  4:00 9:00
  Dolby Stereo
• Tangled  
  2:15 4:30 7:15 9:25
  Dolby Stereo
• Inside Job  
  2:00 7:00
  Dolby Stereo
• The Social Network  
  4:15 9:15
  Dolby Stereo

Big Turnout at 32nd LD Town Hall - Third Place Commons

Three Legislators for the 32nd District put on an impressive Town Hall program today at Third Place Commons in LFP. 

32nd Legislators (L-R)
 Rep Cindy Ryu, Sen Maralyn Chase and Rep Ruth Kagi

Over 100 people packed a morning town hall event at Third Place Commons. The crowd asked many questions and applauded enthusiastically at many of the statements made by the legislators. Questions ranging from budget, taxes, education funding and class size, public employee unions, and the environment, were asked and the answers were well received.

Senator Chase and Rep Kagi presented power point programs with many charts and graphs, to explain the budget challenges facing legislators this session.

Senator Chase spoke about the need for "fundamental structural change in our State economy". Because of the decline in personal incomes, there is not enough revenue coming in as had been the case just a few years ago.  She advocated for the need for a "Decade of Innovation" to stimulate our economy. The plan would include expanded exports, attract talent and invest in human capitol and expand entrepreneurship. She said our state needs to encourage better freight mobility and be competitive on a global basis.

http://www.leg.wa.gov/senate/senators/pages/chase.aspx

Rep Kagi gave a "Budget 101" presentation, showing the basics of the State Budget. She explained that we have three distinct parts of our state budget. These are the Operating, Transportation and Capitol Budgets. Over 50% of the budget is dependent on retail sales (which includes housing sales). She said right now, the state needs to make up for a $13 Billion shortfall, and the revenue forecasts show a further decline in the income to state coffers and also declines in employment. Up to 60% of this budget is not controlled by the legislature, but is mandated by law.
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/Pages/kagi.aspx

Rep Ryu spoke about some of the bills she's worked on and which have passed the house so far, including a "Mortgage Fraud prevention" Bill, and a Speed Limit  Reduction Bill for cities. She talked about the Basic Necessities which the state must address including: common theme of education, housing for misdemeanants and felons, and to "invest upfront" for future job creation.

She wants to see the state "Float everybody's boat together".
http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/representatives/pages/ryu.aspx

In answer to audience questions:

Senator Chase said "We need to support the arts, because it stimulates creativity and economic development". On the Trans Alta agreement passed by the Senate she stated, "The 2020-25 (deal) is a doable and acceptable compromise. (We are)...making progress."

Rep Kagi stated, " The Citizens United decison is a threat to our democracy." and "Protecting family planning is my top priority!"

Rep Ryu said, " In order for free market and business to succeed in our state, we need strong public infrastructures. That work is done by public employees." 

Citizens stayed for another half hour afterwards to ask even more questions. It was a very informative town hall session.

Cats Indoors! Wiley Coyote on the Loose!

Pet owners in Paramount Park Neighborhood beware. Coyote prowling in the neighborhood today! 

Coyote just resting in Paramount Park Meadow

This sighting is not terribly uncommon. Coyote's have been seen here many times over the years.

It's obviously advisable to keep your pets indoors when coyotes are around. Cats have been known to disappear. Also a good idea to keep pet food indoors.

Here are some tips from Russell Link of WDFW.

http://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/pub.php?id=00610

Living with Wildlife - Coyotes

Category: Living with Wildlife - Species Fact Sheets
Date Published:  2005
Number of Pages: 8
Author(s): Russell Link, Urban Wildlife Biologist

INTRODUCTION:

From bats to woodpeckers, the animal species covered in this series were selected after surveying agencies and organizations that receive calls from the public about local wildlife. While many people call for general information about wildlife, in many cases the calls are from people who are—or think they are—experiencing a conflict with a wild animal and are seeking a way to remedy the problem.

It’s important to note that not all wildlife create conflicts. Although it might not appear so at the time, the animals, which are often referred to as nuisance or problem animals, are innocent. When a conflict exists between humans and animals it is usually because the animal is only doing what it needs to do to survive. It is simply following its own instincts, and intends no harm or discomfort.

Dealing with a conflict can be difficult because it is often a community issue. Some people habitually feed and perhaps inadvertently shelter wildlife, while their neighbor may not want wildlife around at all. "One persons nuisance is another persons joy", etc. This scenario can create undesirable situations for people, pets, and the animals themselves. Raccoons, coyotes and squirrels that are fed by people often lose their fear of humans and may become aggressive when not fed as expected. These hungry visitors might approach a neighbor who might choose to remove these animals, or have them removed.

A conflict also can quickly alter a wildlife lover’s perception about a certain species, especially when the situation exceeds his/her current level of tolerance. Such is the paradox that wildlife around homes and property present: We want them and we don’t want them, depending on what they are doing at any given moment.

Each entry in the “Living with Wildlife” series begins with a description of a species followed by details on feeding behavior, reproduction, and other biological information. For people needing to learn more about an animal to help solve a conflict, details on tracks, burrows, nest sites, etc. are provided. Finally, for those interested in attracting the animal, tips for attracting and maintaining its habitat are provided.

The section “Preventing Conflicts,” encounters between home and property owners and wildlife found in yards, gardens, and structures are described. This section describes several methods for resolving human-wildlife conflicts, including changing human behavior or perceptions so that people are willing to tolerate some damage.

Next, public health concerns for each species is described followed by the animals’ legal status. Before taking any action to remedy a conflict associated with wildlife, its legal status must be determined. All mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians that occur in the wild in Washington are protected or regulated by state and/or federal laws. These laws not only pertain to the killing of regulated species but may also prohibit live trapping and relocation, harassment, and possession of the animal dead or alive.

Adapted from "Living with Wildlife in the Pacific Northwest"

Written by: Russell Link, Urban Wildlife Biologist

Oregon Juncos Keep the Garden Hoppin'

Local arborist, Michael Oxman caught this shot of an Oregon Junco in West Seattle.

A serious fellow - ph credit Michael Oxman

Oregon or Dark-eyed Juncos are ground feeders mostly from the sparrow family.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology has the scoop.

• Dark-eyed Juncos are birds of the ground. They hop around the bases of trees and shrubs in forests or venture out onto lawns looking for fallen seeds. You’ll often hear their high chip notes, given almost absent-mindedly while foraging, or intensifying as they take short, low flights through cover.

• Habitat

  Dark-eyed Juncos breed in coniferous or mixed-coniferous forests across Canada, the western U.S., and in the Appalachians. During winter you’ll find them in open woodlands, fields, parks, roadsides, and backyards.

Outcome on Ronald School COA Hearing

Shoreline City Council Makes a Unanimous Decision to Let the Shoreline School District Have Its Way with the Historic Landmarked Ronald School.

Front Walk and Door of Ronald School
Landmarked in 2008

A local non-profit, Shoreline Preservation Society had appealled the previous decision of the "Shoreline" Landmarks Commission (which in reality contained no one representing Shoreline attending, as required by City Statute and and Interlocal Agreement with King County.)

Shoreline Preservation Society issues the following statement about the outcome of the hearing:

The objective of SPS in filing the appeal of the COA was not only to protect the Ronald School, but to 

ensure that the decision was made by Shoreline. SPS took a position to support both the rebuild of the Shorewood HS AND properly protect the Ronald School. Sadly, because the City Council relinquished its solemn responsibility to protect our cultural and historic assets, the current proposal will unnecessarily impact the Ronald School and invade its landmarked sections. Serious precedents will be set.

SPS obviously strongly disagrees with the Council's decision and believes their appeal demonstrated numerous Landmarks Commission errors, including in important procedures, but also errors of fact, judgement and conclusion.  It was the Council's duty, if there was ANY possible error, to assert its authority, and remand the decision back to the Landmarks Commission.

SPS is currently looking at options for the future and considering what steps can be taken to ensure the

protection of the cultural and historical assets in the Shoreline area.

Councilmember Chris Roberts made many good points in his statement, including pointing out:

 • that the Landmarks Commission did NOT indeed have a quorum with only 3 voting members,

 • that the proposal will impact the landmarked sections,

 • that the Shoreline School District had followed a course that divided the community and,

 • that SSD missed many opportunities to work cooperatively with the Shoreline Historical Museum from the beginning

Roberts then justified voting to Deny the appeal of the COA based on his belief that SPS had not properly mentioned the "quorum" word in the appeal or at the first hearing.

But, SPS believes that it was not the place of citizens at that first hearing to raise the quorum issue, but that it was the responsibility of the Commission and its Chair to do so. SPS DID specifically call out the commission numerous times on their faulty procedures and especially the lack of a Shoreline Member, which was required by law. 

Where was the City Manager and City Attorney and their responsibility to instruct the Council on their responsibilities?  Some Councilmembers seemed to think it was not their place to "judge" the decision of supposed experts on the Landmarks Commission. Don't they realize that in this case, that is their job?

It was their job to judge whether Commission was correct and the School District/Bassetti's plan would be allowed to impact this historic building.  

Shoreline Preservation Society strongly believes that the Council has now shirked its responsibility to protect the Ronald School in denying the appeal.  And the decision was
in reality a political excersize with a flimsy veneer of policy reasoning.  

SPS points out that there were numerous, serious flaws in the procedures that have been followed by the "Shoreline Landmarks Commission" and the City's responsibilities, including:

• no Shoreline Member and no provision for a substitute when needed

• no City staff even attended the first hearing

• intent of the City's preservation law undermined and disregarded
• SEPA process gone awry and City letting the School District dictate the outcome
(no real alternatives were ever really analyzed or presented properly)

What was gained through this appeal process? SPS is proud to have made it possible for the public and stakeholders to be a party to this Certificate of Appropriateness process. Until these hearings, the public had been excluded from the process. Now two public hearings were held, which would not have otherwise happened on a matter of importance on a cultural icon in Shoreline. One was televised. The public also had the opportunity to speak their minds.  

Also, the Council had originally proposed to hold their deliberations on this matter in "executive session", and SPS challenged that and put a stop to that.

Lessons Learned

1. Preservation is a process that needs to be seriously strengthened in our community.

2. Without serious oversight and and constant vigilance, everything of value here is potentially at risk.

3. The Shoreline City Councilmembers are too busy and don't have the staff support to be able to understand the complex issues presented in this case.

4. The Shoreline City Council is willing in their decision, to ignore important, basic procedural issues such as "quorum", when the desire for expediency is stronger that ensuring accuracy and quality of their judgements. 

5. Standards which are required to be followed under the Preservation Law regarding landmarked buildings in the City Code are easily dismissed by councilmembers when conflated with issues that are irrelevant such as, "use, timing and proposals for shiny and new".

6. The City has decided it is not in control of what is allowed in Shoreline. The Shoreline School District IS. 

The Shoreline Preservation Society will continue its mission on preservation.  Meanwhile the future of the oldest, and most significant historic building in our area, is still at serious risk.

Judge JT Ronald, Shoreline Pioneer

In a statement made in our appeal, "If what has befallen the Ronald School, is the outcome available to all Shoreline Landmarks, then no historical property is safe and the City's Landmarks code is not worth much."

Today is International Women's Day

A good day to honor all the women in our lives.

But it seems especially appropriate to honor three women who represent the 32nd Legislative District.
These three women have done extraordinary service in their lives and now they serve us through out the year. But now is the Legislative session, a time of great pressure and responsibility. The challenges and time crunches  pile up and up and yet they "keep on tickin'" until the session is through, working to find solutions for our district and the people who live here.

Here's to Maralyn, Ruth and Cindy and all you do! Thanks!

Senator Maralyn Chase, Rep Cindy Ryu, Rep Ruth Kagi
on election night

In November's election, Maralyn Chase was elected to the State Senate, Ruth Kagi was re-elected, and Cindy Ryu was elected to the seat Chase had held. All three are Democrats, now representing the 32nd Legislative District which includes, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, Kenmore and parts of unincorporated Edmonds, Bothell and Kirkland.  

They are in session right now, working on the budget and legislation to improve the district for its citizens.

TransAlta Deal Poised for Passage

One of the top four "Environmental Priority Bills" has come back in amended form in the State Senate and passed yesterday. A deal has been struck and the environmental community is celebrating a victory for clean air legislation.

Over 500 activists Gathered for Environmental Lobby Day
this February. The TransAlta Bill is one of four
Priority Bills targeted for passage this session.

According to Publicola, the TransAlta Coal Fired Plant, would be phased out entirely by 2025, and partially shut down by 2020. There would be funding to help local communities and contributions to clean energy technology from TransAlta to communities in WA State.

http://publicola.com/2011/03/05/transalta-agrees-to-phase-out-coal-plant/
Sen Rockefeller (D-23) of Bainbridge Is, offered a "striker amendment" with a compromise between an stronger alternative bill offered by Marko Liias in the House, and a weaker version that had passed a Senate Committee. Local lawmakers from the Centralia area had signed on.

Perhaps the biggest news, though: The company has agreed to pay $55 million into an economic development fund starting in 2012 to help transition the community; the plant currently has 300 employees.

“It’s progress,” says Rep. Marko Liias (D-21, Edmonds), sponsor of an earlier, stronger, house version, which initially came with a $94 million fund (and ended the company’s $5 million annual tax break), but was replaced by Sen. Rockefeller’s original, neutered senate version, which kept the tax break in place and came without a clear transition fund or shutdown date.

Governor Chris Gregoire's office announced the agreement yesterday. She said in a statement,

“What a proud day for the Centralia community, and all of Washington state,” Gregoire said. “I congratulate all of the parties involved who worked in good faith, and spent countless hours to achieve this agreement. This compromise promises cleaner air for our future, while providing the necessary time to ensure economic stability, job protection and enough power on the grid to keep our homes and businesses running. I encourage the Legislature to take timely action to ensure this agreement moves forward.”

 The Environmental Priorities Coalition had fought for a strong bill to phase out this coal plant, which is the largest single contributor to greenhouse gases in the State. 


The Seattle PI quotes Craig Benjamin of the "coalition" on the agreement, "“Once in place, this makes a pretty big statement about the Northwest:  We are phasing out coal-burning power plants,” Craig Benjamin of the Environmental Priorities Coalition, told SeattlePi.com."


The PI says this deal shows "gives" on both sides. 

Environmental groups had sought shutdown of the coal boilers by 2015, with a possible extension to 2017.  The accord says the first boiler will go down on Dec. 31, 2020, and the second five years later.

Trans-Alta gets the ability and assurance to negotiate long-term power sales agreements while the coal-burning plant remains in operation.

But Trans-Alta has committed to install, by 2013, new pollution control technology to further reduce its nitrogen oxide emissions.

So it looks like a good season for Clean Air in Washington State!  

Greenlake